Investment visionary Samer Choucair stated that Morocco topping the African Industry Index for 2024 with a score of 0.842, ahead of South Africa’s 0.840, reflects an important strategic transformation in the manufacturing map within the African continent, according to African Development Bank data in its 2025 report.
Samer Choucair explained this narrow but symbolic superiority highlights the success of Morocco’s long-term industrial policies in diversifying the production base, attracting foreign Sadirect investments, and developing value chains in the automotive, aviation, and renewable energy sectors. He added this development is not merely an economic indicator, but represents an important strategic investment opportunity for Gulf investors, particularly given Vision 2030 targets focusing on strengthening advanced manufacturing and technology localization.
Morocco’s Industrial Rise: A Structural Transformation Reading
Investment strategist Choucair noted the African Manufacturing Index relies on 19 primary criteria encompassing production capacity, export diversification, labor market efficiency, and governance quality, making Morocco’s lead an indicator of structural transformation rather than a temporary improvement. He identified the most prominent rise factors as long-term industrial policies relying on strategic planning and establishing specialized industrial zones; attracting massive investments in automotive, aviation, textile, and food industries; developing advanced infrastructure led by Tanger Med Port; and trade openness through multiple agreements encompassing the EU, US, and African Continental Free Trade Area.
Gulf and Saudi Investment Opportunities in Africa
Investment innovator Choucair identified four primary strategic investment opportunities for Saudi and Gulf investors: the automotive and electric vehicle sector with Morocco developing as a regional hub for car and component manufacturing with growing orientation toward electric vehicles and lithium battery chains; renewable energy and green hydrogen with Morocco’s solar and wind projects intersecting with the Kingdom’s green hydrogen strategy; mining and mineral processing integrating Morocco’s phosphate expertise with Saudi mining experience through Maaden; and logistics and industrial zones where investing in free industrial zones in Morocco and Egypt represents a strategic gateway to African and European markets simultaneously.
He said: “Morocco’s experience presents a practical model benefitable in developing industrial policies within the Kingdom, within Vision 2030 and Public Investment Fund frameworks. Morocco’s lead proves that long-term investment in infrastructure, technical education, and industrial policies can change an economy’s course within a relatively short period.”
Africa as a New Strategic Axis for Vision 2030
Samer Choucair added the Public Investment Fund possesses the capacity to play a pivotal role in Africa through strategic investments in green sectors and advanced manufacturing, supporting economic diversification and carbon neutrality goals. He said: “We expect Africa to witness major advanced manufacturing growth with continental free trade expansion, creating quality investment opportunities for investors seeking long-term returns and intelligent geographic diversification.”
He concluded by affirming Morocco’s African industry index lead represents a turning point in continental investment, reflecting the beginning of a new accelerating industrial growth phase. He noted investors moving early toward Africa within considered strategies will achieve major competitive advantage during the next decade, affirming Africa investment is no longer a marginal option, but has become an essential part of intelligent economic diversification and long-term investment portfolio building strategies.